Volunteers wanted for Litter Sweeps

Thursday

Apr 18, 2013 at 4:42 PM

Various groups are calling for volunteers to assist in the N.C. Department of Transportation's spring Litter Sweep throughout Davidson County.

BY NASH DUNNThe Dispatch

Various groups are calling for volunteers to assist in the N.C. Department of Transportation's spring Litter Sweep throughout Davidson County.Cpl. Tim Perry of the Lexington Police Department will organize a sweep in Lexington at 8 a.m. Saturday alongside the Lexington Police Explorers Post 230. Anyone interested in helping with the sweep can contact Perry at the Lexington Police Department by calling 243-3302.The sweep will take place in the immediate areas surrounding Lexington Senior High School."Because we use the Explorers, we try to stay away from the medians and interstates for safety reasons, but we hope that volunteers will take the initiative to try and help keep our city clean," Perry said.Volunteers should bring gloves and a reflective vest, Perry said.If everything goes according to plan, Perry and the Explorers will host another sweep April 27, he said.The City of Thomasville Beautification Committee will also host sweeps at 4 p.m. April 25 and at 8 a.m. April 27.The sweep will start at the clock tower across from the Big Chair, near the corner of Randolph and Main streets in Thomasville, said Carol Brown, chairwoman of the beautification committee."The only thing we ask is that you bring your own gloves," Brown said, adding that reflective vests and bags will be provided.For more information, contact the beautification committee by calling 475-4219.The Town of Denton will also host "Clean up the Town Day" from 9 a.m. to noon April 27. The group will meet at Harrison Park.Denton Mayor Scott Morris said citizens will be given gloves, bags and vests."We are going to go out through the town and spread out in all directions from there," Morris said.The DOT's litter sweep, which started April 13 and lasts until April 27, encourages volunteers across the state to clean up roadsides. Last year, volunteers helped remove more than 1.7 million pounds of roadside litter during the 2012 spring Litter Sweep, according to the DOT.Spring Litter Sweep volunteers will be joined by DOT maintenance crews, Adopt-A-Highway groups, N.C. Department of Public Safety inmate crews and community service workers.The N.C. State Highway Patrol will be on alert and policing roads for motorists with unsecured loads and others who intentionally and unintentionally litter, according to the DOT.In North Carolina, those who litter can be fined up to $2,000, receive a point on their driver's license and be sentenced to community service work. Fines can double upon a second conviction.Interested Litter Sweep volunteers should contact the county maintenance office at 249-7001 to obtain cleanup supplies. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are required to watch a safety video and wear safety gear, according to the DOT.Nash Dunn can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at nash.dunn@the-dispatch.com.